EVENTS - REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON 28TH & 29TH MAY

REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS

28^TH AND 29^TH May 2007

Introduction     

The Genetically modified crops entered in the market from the mid ninties. Whereas WTO and Globalization have changed the picture of agriculture sector in developing countries including India. Free trade policy became golden spoon for the MNCs while it has acted as heavy iron rod on the back of Indian farmers. GM technology, which arises more ambiguity than solutions, has become a major concern in the development of Indian agriculture and poor farmers. But the GM crops became threat to the environment, bio-diversity, human & animal health hazards, and sustainability of natural agriculture system. Respect towards nature and natural process has been dismantled by the introduction with GM technology. Even scientific community in India has not yet made their mind whether to recommend GM crops or to ban GM technology. There is lack of regulation in this process. Small and marginal farmers with limited resources are the main victims of hype and false promises made in India by the MNCs. Bt cotton is not the only giant, but there are some more in pipe line like Bt Brinjal, GM tomato, GM rice, GM wheat etc to eliminate Indian farmers. GM technology which promised to eliminate hunger and ensure food security is now on the way to eliminate hungry people and pushed the farmers out of the farm who feed the nation. Government of India does not seem much sensitive on these issues and hence this has been taken up by some of the activists and they are trying their best to convenience the Government and GEAC. But the force of MNCs is very powerful that works on the policy makers. More and more civil society and stakeholders have to join these efforts so that we can save the farmers, agriculture, environment, livelihood of rural poor and also health hazards. In this context a 2 days workshop on GM crops is organized in which eminent environmentalists, activists, practitioners, and scientists would deliver their thoughts, facts, figures, science, technology on GM to build understanding and share the experiences and perspectives related to technical, scientific, economic and political issues. It is hoped that this workshop will give further direction to all stakeholders, including Government to work on appropriate strategies.

Objectives

• To share studies, experiences, experiments and conceptions and perspectives with technical, scientific, economic and political and health elements of GM Crops within different stakeholders from western India.
• To facilitate debates, discussions and paper presentations in the context of International, National, & State Agricultural Policies and also to make a comprehensive analysis of different aspects of these policies with respect to GM crops- Threats and need of the day.    
• To contribute in shaping up the future direction of Indian Agriculture with regards to GM Crops with all Stakeholders including Government and come up with strategies at least for the western region of India.

Duration and Dates

Two days Workshop on GM crops will be held on 28^th and 29^th of May 2007.

Venue

Church of North India Synod

Gardiner School Campus

Behind Labour Court

Civil Lines

Nagpur - 440001

Participants

Scientists, Researchers, Environmentalist, Genetic Engineer, Social Scientists, Media personnel, Government representatives, organizations and farmers association from 4 states (Maharashtra, MP, Rajasthan and Gujarat) are invited.

Travel and accommodation

Simple and sharing based accommodation will be arranged and second class train fare could be provided to all participants on the presentation of the tickets.

Food

The Organizer will arrange Tea, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for the

Participants.

Outcomes

The workshop will focus on the technical, economical and political aspects of the GM crops. The impacts on health, environment and biodiversity will de discussed through presentations. It is expected that future strategies will be developed to support National coalition on GM free India and build regional coalition of western region ont of the workshop.

Secretariat

The workshop will be organized by YUVA Rural (Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action) in collaboration with Swiss Aid. Datta Patil, Executive Director, YUVA Rural, Nagpur will be coordinating the workshop. Nitin Mate, Program Coordinator will be looking after the planning and logistics and Smita Hadke will assist in organizing the workshop. Please send in your confirmation, suggestions and any queries to the contacts given below.

Contact Address

Datta Patil                                                   Nitin Mate                     

Mob: 09967024249                                     09822468706               

Email: patil.datta@gmail.com                      mate.nitin@gmail.com

Smita Hadke

Mob: 9421920627

smita.hadke@gmail.com

YUVA Rural, 2^nd floor Kamgar Bhavan, Baidyanath Square

Nagpur 440003. Phone 0712 2751811/2; Fax: 0712 2742162